(Very) Quick Series Previews

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Dharma Islanders (92-70) vs Spanish Harlem Pinata Beaters (98-64)
This is not another blatant attempt at a reverse jinx (tuly!) but the Pinata Beaters are likely the best team in ATB.  While they started slow, they more than made up for it in the second half and since August 1st they are a blistering 44-20.  Turkey Steanres (.313 / .347 / .575 since August 1) has turned it around and even Kevin Brown has shown signs of life after a season long funk.  Overall, this team has a top 3 offense and the best pitching staff in the American League.

This will be a considerable challenge for Dharma who lost 8 of 12 during the regular season against them.  With names like Bill Swift, Camillo Pascual, Kevin Appier, and Matt Harvey it does come as a bit of a surprise how good the rotation is on paper, and overall the team has given up the third fewest runs in the American League.  The lineup is defensive first, runs scoring second.  Dharma needs Jason Giambi (.784 OPS) to come up big in order to have a chance in this series.


Willets Point "Mechanics" (95-67) vs Ankhana Adventurers (100-62)
This is arguably the premier matchup of all the Division Series games.  Only three playoff teams cracked the +100 run differential and two of them are facing off in this AL matchup.   On paper, Ankhana has the edge thanks to a 48 run advantage in RD, the best record in baseball, and a 7 game winning streak to close out the season.  Conversely, Willets Point limped into the playoffs with a sub-.500 record in September and lost the Division title to Spanish Harlem during the last sim of play.

The Mechanics are well balanced (2nd in RA and 5th in RS) and feature 17- and 19 game winners in Harvey Haddix and Brett Saberhagen.  Almost every spot in the lineup is above average with shortstop Willie Wells leading the way thanks to 37 home runs and 103 RBI.  Ankhana counters with a high octane offense led by Lou Gehrig (1.039 OPS, 127 RBI), decent starting pitching, and the best reliever in the game, Dennis Eckersley (13-7, 1.74 ERA, 155 IP).  If the 6-6 record against each other in the regular season is any indication, this series should go at least six games.

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Lakeview Zeros (91-71)vs Grumman Hellcats (92-70)
A rivalry in name since the draft, these two teams are direct opposites of each other.  Grumman has great defense at almost every spot in the lineup and it has helped their rotation immensely.  Employing a 4-man all season long, three hurlers achieved at least 17 wins and three has ERA's under 3.40.   Despite a losing record, Justin Verlander appears to the best of the bunch with a 2.85 ERA.  No single player in the lineup will cause an inordinate amount of fear for the opposing club, but make no mistake, any batter can hit the ball out at any time.  Mike Schmidt hit 49 home runs this year, and four other Hellcats cracked 30.  And everyone in the lineup hit at least 16.

While Grumman has pop, they also have some gaping holes.  Namely, their team .229 batting average is a liability and is exactly what Lakeview does best.  The Zero's are batting .282 / .350 / ..411 as a team and have scored the second most runs in the National League.  Their lineup is admittedly star heavy, but that may not matter much with Ted Williams, King Kelly, and Heavy Johnson in the heart of the order.  The key for Lakeviews success rests on the right arm of Greg Maddux.  The much debated mid season trade for the star hurler is settled right now, depending upon his success.  Lakeview narrowly took the season series 7-5 and there is no reason to think this will be a short series either.

Sparta Hoplites (87-75) vs Shamokin Miners (96-66)
The Hoplites have a remarkable pitching staff, one that obliterated the all time ATB record for fewest runs allowed.  The previous best was 540 runs allowed, set by both Spanish Harlem and Dos Equis last season.  In ATB 17, the Hoplites allowed just 508.  And to make matters worse for Shamokin, this was accomplished with Pedro pitching every 5 days.  In the playoffs, he may go every 3rd start and with a line of 21-6, 1.57 ERA, and you can easily see how Sparta can win this series.  However, in order to win, the Hoplites must score and they have a weak offense, one that scored only 588 runs.

Shamokin counters with a well balanced attack, and they had the best record in the NL for a reason.  Third in the National League in both run scoring and run prevention during the regular season,   Oscar Charleston (.928 OPS) and Dan Brouthers (.895 OPS) led the offense, while Johnny Podres (3.14 ERA) and Randy Jones (3.20 ERA) are the co-aces.  They key to the the Miners success is likely the bullpen.  While they are above average, they have no elite standouts and can be beat.  Head to head, Shamokin won 7 of 12 and did best Pedro in one of his two starts.